Vanessa Redgrave is awesome in "Letters to Juliet". She rocks. She plays Claire, who in her own words is sorry for being a "such a coward" for not following heart, and being with her true love Lorenzo—over 50 years ago in Tuscany. Her performance is literally in her steel blue eyes—it is just who she is being—no conscience acting here. I think Redgrave gets a nomination in this very charming, heartfelt, and predictable romantic comedy. She embodies the kind of emotional gravitas and humanity that John Gielgud did in "Arthur".Beautiful and spirited Amanda Seyfried plays Sophie "The New Yorker" fact checker and wannabe writer, who accompanies Claire and her grandson Charlie (wonderfully played by Christopher Egan) to find her lost love in Tuscany.The story by Jose Rivera and Tim Sullivan is whimsical, funny, and entirely telegraphed from miles away. When Sophie (Seyfried) and Charlie (Egan) first meet it is annoyance at first sight. In fact Charlie points out that he had never heard anyone use "awesome" and "oh my God" in the same sentence. Of course they are destined to fall in love. Director Gary Winick orchestrates beautifully—he knows his material and has faith in his actors. 
Here it is all about the journey of Claire, Sophie, and Charlie to reclaim the one true love from the past, and the present. The road is hysterical and touchingly bitter sweet. At the narrative catharsis, Redgrave's Claire tells Charlie, because she can, "Don't be a total idiot." She reminds her grandson, "How many Sophie's do you think are on this planet. Don't wait 50 years to follow your heart."
In "Letters to Juliet" Sophie goes on a pre-honeymoon trip with her fiancé restaurateur and chef Victor (handsome and mercurial Gael Garcia Bernal). Turns out this is more of a business trip for Victor as he prepares for the opening of his new restaurant in New York. Sophie is passionate about her writing, and Victor is passionate about cooking and food. However, neither the twain shall meet. There is a great scene with Seyfried and Redgrave where Claire inquires, "So tell me about this guy you're in love with?" Victor is a great guy, but perhaps not the guy.
While in Verona, Sophie discovers and partners with the Secretaries of Juliet. They are the group of women who write letters back to the heart broken women, who travel from around the world to leave their letters to Juliet at the famous balcony wall from Shakespeare's play. Sophie finds Claire's letter hidden in the wall from 1957. Sophie is compelled to write back. Thus, the journey begins to find lost soul mates.
Amanda Seyfried and Christopher Egan have great souls, and that comes across the screen. Egan's Charlie is really not what he appears at first. Charlie is very protective of his Grand (Redgrave)—she raised him into the solid man he is, after his parents died in a car accident when he was 10 years old. Sophie's family was also broken when she was very young. In a powerful scene Charlie tells Sophie she has no idea about "real loss". Claire pauses and quietly tells Charlie, "You're wrong…" Later there is a moving scene where Claire comforts Sophie as she motherly brushes her hair. The chemistry of Seyfried, Redgrave, and Egan is natural, funny, and touching.
Movie magic occurs when Claire finds her Lorenzo (still dashing and handsome Franco Nero) in the vineyard under the spectacular Tuscan sun. Amazing. Cinematographer Marco Pontecorvo brilliantly captures the light and life of Verona and the Tuscan country side. I now want to travel to Italy. Then even more magic occurs when Charlie and Sophie realise that they love each other but think that they can't be together.
"Letters to Juliet" uses a clumsy narrative deflect toward the end, but all is forgiven-- true love prevails. "Letters to Juliet" is about having the courage to follow your heart in love and in life.
Here is a link : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tljwrk5hUrI
Truly recommend this movie...it is lovley, romantic and sweet. If you need your fix of romance, this is the movie to watch.
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